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Class 66 series

JT42CWR Diesel

Series: Class 66 Build: EMD 1998 - .. Top speed: 120 km/h Gauge: 1435 mm UIC axles: Co'Co' Length: 21.35 m Width: 2.64 m Height: 3.90 m Weight: 127 t Power output: 2385 kW Tractive effort: 260 kN Source: en.wikipedia.org

Career

ACTS 66 ECR France 66 MRCE 66 Veolia CB 66

AR 66 ECR France 77 OHE 66

CB Rail 66 Eichholz 266 R4C 66

CL T66 ENR 66 Railtraxx 66

CRB 66 ERS 66 RheinCargo 66

CTB 66 FPL 66 RR T66

CTD 66 HGK 66 RRF 66

DBSDE 247 HHPI 29 RTB 66

DBSNL 266 HUSA 66 RTS 66

DBSRP 66 ITL 266 SNCF 66

DLC 66 LWB 266 Trainsport 66

Class 66/0

Series: Class 66 Build: EMD Top speed: 120 km/h Gauge: 1435 mm UIC axles: Co'Co' Width: 2.64 m Height: 3.90 m Weight: 127 t Power output: 2385 kW Tractive effort: 260 kN Source: en.wikipedia.org

Numbering: 66001-66250

Career

DBSUK 66/0

EWS 66/0

Class 66/3 Diesel locomotive

Series: Class 66 Build: EMD Top speed: 120 km/h HISTORY OF THE CLASS 66s

by ADRIAN BOOTH

It was the spring of 1998 when the magnificent Class 66 began to arrive in the UK, initially supplied to the order of EWS, although the type now has also found favour with Freightliner, GB , and other European operators. There are now no less than 327 Class 66's in traffic in the UK, the type offering a new level of reliability and now working the majority of duties on all but a handful of routes. With their stylish design and colourful liveries, the Class 66's have found fairly universal favour with railway enthusiasts, and are also very popular with their crews (once initial teething problems with cab noise were rectified).

The Class 66 owes its existence to EWS. When this company was formed in the mid-1990's (after the purchase of , and the three BR trainload freight companies - Mainline, and Transrail) it sought to address the chronic availability problems of the aging fleet of locomotives that it inherited. EWS was aware that in Chicago (GM) had already supplied fifteen Class 59 locomotives to three operators in the UK and, for example, this type had proved immensely efficient and popular working stone between Somerset quarries and west . EWS contacted GM (who therefore already had a suitable body design for the UK market) with a view to updating the popular Class 59 with the latest technology. The end result was an EWS order for no less than 250 new locomotives, designated Class 66, involving an outlay of some £375M, the biggest investment ever in one order for locomotives.

GM built all 250 of the locomotives at their works at Ontario, in south east Canada. To start with, just 66001 and 66002 were built, the frames being laid on 18th May 1997. On 23rd March 1998 number 66001 was officially handed over to the EWS Chairman at Ontario. It was then taken to Albany, New Jersey where, on 31st March 1998, it was loaded on board a ship for its voyage to Immingham. Upon arrival there it was towed by 56018 to the nearby TMD for inspection, with a ceremonial unveiling to the press on 20th April 1998. That night it moved to TMD (hauled by 60016) for further inspection and staff training. Four days later it was displayed in Chester, then being taken on 27th April 1998 to the Railway Technical Centre at Derby for two weeks of tests. It was then sent back to Toton TMD and, on 21 May 1998, it made its first journey on Railtrack under its own power, undertaking brake tests between Toton and Chesterfield. It hauled its first train on 27th May 1998.

GM completed delivery of the order for Class 66's in an amazing timescale. The first, the aforementioned 66001, in a striking maroon and gold livery, was docked at Immingham (the only one to arrive there) on 18th April 1998, whilst the last eleven docked at Newport in South Wales on 18th June 2000, a highly impressive total delivery time of exactly 26 months for 250 locomotives. By comparison, BREL took 7½ years to deliver just 105 Class 56's, whilst the one hundred Class 60's took some four years to emerge from Brush. The Class 66's were quickly tested and all were initially allocated to Toton Depot before being set to work.

The Class 66 locomotives are of the Co-Co type with a cab at each end. Rated for 75mph operation, each has a GM 12N-710G3B-EC two-stroke engine, rated at 3,200hp at 900rpm. This is coupled to a GM AR8/CA6 main alternator, which powers six GM D43TR traction motors - one on each axle - developing a maximum tractive effort of 90,000lbf, and a continuous tractive effort of 57,000lbf, with a maximum speed of 75mph. This makes the Class 66 less powerful than a Class 60 locomotive, although it is a stronger performer than classes 47, 56, 57 and 58. The Class 66 locomotives can carry 6,550 litres of diesel fuel, giving them a range of upward of 1,200 miles between refuellings. A ready-to-run Class 66 weighs-in at 126 tonnes, and this means they have a route availability rating of 7. The Freightliner Class 66/5 locomotives are as per Class 66, with the exception that their maximum tractive effort is 105,080lbf (continuous rating 66,630lbf) and their maximum speed is a reduced 65mph.

When new, all 250 EWS Class 66s were allocated to Toton, although this was little more than a paper code to satisfy the TOPS computer, and each 66 could appear nationwide. However, in November 2000 EWS split its locomotives into regional pools and the Class 66s were allocated to six depots, Cardiff, Eastleigh, Immingham, Motherwell, Thornaby, and Toton. In reality they will still appear as and when they are needed, but the depot allocations helps in maintenance planning and the intention was that each locomotive would visit its home depot at least once every three months.

Such was the impact of the Class 66 that container operator Freightliner quickly got in on the act, initially ordering five of the type (designated Class 66/5) from GM , with 66501 docked at Newport on 17th July 1999. Subsequent orders have raised the Freightliner Class 66/5 total to 54 locomotives (numbered 66501-54) - all being painted in Freightliner's striking turquoise and yellow livery - whilst a further order was for six Class 66/6 locomotives that had a different gear ratio that made them suitable for heavier trainload work. These locomotives (numbered 66601-06) arrived at Newport Docks on 11th November 2000. A further order saw the delivery of numbers 66607-12. In addition to the initial container traffic, Freightliner subsequently won the contracts to work other traffic flows and, for example, 66/5s can now be seen on coal traffic and 66/6s on tanker trains.

In April 2000 GB Railfreight placed an order for locomotives with the same gearing as the Class 66/6s, with their fleet designated Class 66/7 and numbered 66701-12. Their livery is all-over blue with yellow ends, and the number and GBRf on the sides in yellow.

To complete the story, the success of the 66s attracted the interest of, initially, two European operators. A German operator ordered two locomotives to work traffic from Cologne to the Netherlands. These (numbered 9901-02) were painted red with a white band and arrow on the bodyside, and received approval for German operation in September 2000. The second operator was Swedish, and also ordered two locomotives - classified T66 and numbered 713 and 714. They were painted in lime green livery, and were delivered to in August 2000. The class is expected to thrive in Europe and GM stated that it hoped to sell between forty and fifty Class 66s in Europe during 2002. Indeed, examples can now also be found in Belgium, Holland and Norway.

Acknowledgement: this article is based upon a feature, written by Pip Dunn, which appeared early in 2001 in RAIL 401. The accompanying tables of loco data originally appeared in RAIL 401 and are copyright of RAIL. When contacted, Pip readily agreed to his material and loco tables being utilised on this web-site, and he and RAIL are sincerely thanked.

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EMD Class 66 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"CD66" redirects here. For the CD66 antigen, see Carcinoembryonic antigen. Main page The Electro­Motive Diesel (EMD) Class 66 (or JT42CWR) is a series of Co­Co six axle Contents EMD Class 66 diesel locomotives built by EMD for the European heavy freight market. Originally Featured content designed for use in Great Britain as the Class 66, a development of the Class 59, they Current events have since been adapted and certified for use in other European countries.[3] Outside Random article Europe, 40 locomotives have been sold to Egyptian Railways for passenger operation.[4] Donate to Wikipedia A number of locomotives built for in France with roof mounted air Interaction conditioning are classed Class 77. Help Contents [hide] About Wikipedia 1 History Community portal 1.1 Recent changes 1.2 Mainland Europe Contact Wikipedia 2 Technical Toolbox 2.1 ETCS Equipment HGK DE 64 at Godorf Hafen open day. 3 Operators Print/export Power type Diesel­electric 4 See also Builder Electro­Motive Diesel Languages 5 References Model EMD JT42CWRM Deutsch 5.1 Notes 6 External links Build date 1998 to date Magyar Total produced 651+(7)[1] Nederlands History [edit] UIC Co'Co' Norsk (bokmål) classification Polski Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1∕ in) United Kingdom [edit] 2 HTCR­E Main article: Class 66 Length 21.35 m (70 ft 1 in) The EMD Class 66' was originally designed by General Motors­Electro Motive Division[5] Width 2.64 m (8 ft 8 in) for use in the UK as the British Rail Class 66, 250 were sold to EWS, with further orders Height 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) coming from Freightliner (UK) and other railway operators. Locomotive 126.9 t (124.9 long tons; 139.9 short tons) weight [edit] Mainland Europe Fuel type Diesel With the locomotives proving successful in the UK, interest came from railway operators Fuel capacity 6,400 l (1,400 imp gal; 1,700 US gal) in Europe. General Motors locomotives in mainland Europe had historically been Engine type EMD 12N­710G3B­T2, 2,420 kW produced under license by local manufacturers, more recently the high haulage capacity Alternator Main: General Motors AR8PHEH and reliability of the Class 59 (JT26­CW­SS) had led to its use by the German company Aux.: General Motors CA6B Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK). The first mainland Europe order also came from Traction General Motors D43TR Axle Hung (6x) HGK, for two locomotives, followed by TGOJ Trafik (Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesberg­ motors Oxelösunds Järnvägar) in Sweden. Subsequently numerous, often private European Cylinders 12 railway operators bought locomotives.[6] Top speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Except Freightliner 66/6 105 km/h (65 mph) Over 100 locomotives of this type have been purchased for operations in Europe, including 60 operated by Euro Cargo Rail a wholly owned subsidiary of English, Welsh Power output 2,420 kW (3,250 hp) (total) 2,268 kW (3,041 hp) (traction) and Scottish Railway (since 1st Jan 2009 named DB Schenker rail (UK) Ltd.. The ECR Tractive effort Starting: locomotives are equipped with train protection systems for France, Germany and 409 kN (92,000 lb ) Belgium but cannot operate in Great Britain. They have cab air conditioning and carry a f except Freightliner 66/6: 467 kN (105,000 fridge and microwave oven in one cab. They are registered in France as Class 77. lb ) f In 2008 EMD announced plans to develop of a new variant 'Class 66EU', specifically Continuous: 260 kN (58,000 lb ) @ 25.6 km/h (15.9 mph) designed for continental European operations ­ this development will not need to conform f to the restrictive UK , instead being built within the UIC 505­1 loading except for Freightliner 66/6: 296 kN (67,000 lb ) @ 22.5 km/h (14.0 mph) gauge. A range of European safety systems would be supported including ERTMS, the f Locomotive Air locomotives would be fitted with a dynamic brake and previous issues with driver comfort brakes were also to be addressed.[7] The project was confirmed to be cancelled in 2011.[8] Nicknames 'Sheds', 'Ying­yings' (UK) [2] Technical [edit] 'Klaas 66' (NL) Locale Europe, Egypt The locomotive uses standard EMD components of its era ­ an EMD 710 prime mover, D43 traction motors, radial[9] (self­steering) bogies of patented design which reduces wheel surface and flange wear[10] and is also said to improve adhesion[11] and reduce load.[12] The class has undergone various updates; other than the lower geared class 66/6 version produced for Freightliner, most of the updates have been in relation to conforming to the ever increasing specifications for exhaust particulate emissions. Despite being popular with rail operators, especially due to its high reliability, the class has not been universally successful: one recurring problem, both in operation in the UK and mainland Europe, has been the issue of driver comfort. In particular, noise levels (including noise from the cab horn), vibration, and excessive cab­temperatures in hot weather have brought serious complaints. In particular, the cab is not isolated from the main frame causing engine noise to be

the dominant background noise;[13] notwithstanding the implications for safety (audibility of warning signals etc.), and the potential for hearing damage in the long term, the conditions drivers face led to threats of industrial action in the UK in 2007,[14] and an agreement for increased pay for drivers using this type of locomotive[15] (in Norway). By modifying using noise [16] CD66 of CargoNet absorbing materials EMD succeeded in meeting TSI Noise Certification standards in 2008. The air conditioning unit is visible above the cab. Tests on retrofitted cooling systems and improved seating have been carried out on some UK locomotives.[17][18]

ETCS Equipment [edit]

A number of locomotives operating in the Netherlands and Germany have been equipped with ETCS, principally to allow them to work on the ETCS equipped , comprising the ETCS Level 1 "Havenspoorlijn" in the harbour area and the ETCS Level 2 "A15" route linking Rotterdam to the German border.[citation needed][note 1]

Operators [edit]

Certification (homologation) is needed for each country of operation. The locos were initially given a temporary certificate for use in France,[19] full certification for use in France came in 2009[20] (they had previously operated in France on some routes), Romanian certification came in 2007[21] The class are also certified for operation in Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and . As of 1 Jan 2009, certification for use in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic is pending. Additionally they have been sold to, and are operated in Egypt by the Egyptian National Railways.

Freightliner PL EMD JT42CWRM #66001 at the station in Ruhland Germany (May 2008)

Owner Operator Countries Designation Total Comments

Angel Trains (250) Main article: British Rail Class 66 (15)

Halifax Assets DB Schenker 60 EWS locomotives lent from EWS finance Ltd. (33) DRS British Rail Great Britain 450+ stock to EWSi subsidiary Euro Cargo HSBC Rail UK Ltd. Class 66 [23] (85) GB Railfreight Rail. 5 units exported to Poland for Freightliner (60) Freightliner UK Poland.[22] Lloyds TSB (4)[22] 60 loaned from parent company EWSi Class 66 Euro Cargo Rail (ECR) France 120 60 further locomotives during 2009 [23] Class 77 designated Class 77 Freightliner PL (FPL) Poland Class 66[25] 7[26] Part of Ltd. [24] Benelux (Belgium, Benelux Netherlands & (R4CB) Luxembourg) Heavy Haul Power Germany International (HHPI) CB Rail[27] Dillen et Le Jeune formerly Belgium 26 Porterbrook Cargo Railway (DLC) Häfen und Güterverkehr Germany Class 266 Köln (HGK) ERS Railways (ERSR) Netherlands Railion Nederland (RN) Netherlands Benelux (Belgium, Rail4Chem Benelux Deutsche Leasing Netherlands & 1 [27] (R4CB) Luxembourg)

40 First non­European customer, for Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Egypt[4][28] 2120[29] [28] passenger use. Häfen und Güterverkehr GM/Opel leasing Germany Class 266 2 [27] Köln (HGK) Heavy Haul Power GM/GMAC leasing Germany 1 [27] International (HHPI)

Leased to Ikea rail AB, 1 unit modified for TGOJ Trafik (TGOJ)[30] Sweden T66 713[31] 1[31] use in Denmark T66K 714 Transferred to CFL Cargo DK in Padborg CFL Cargo DK[32] Denmark 1 "Krudthornet" in 2010

Problems with driver cabin conditions (see above) [27] HSBC Rail Named Di9 as per Di series in CargoNet (CN) Norway CD66[33] 6[34] procurement documents,[35] in practice also called CD 66 To be replaced by Euro 4000 on the [citation needed] Häfen und Güterverkehr Germany Class 266 5 Köln (HGK) ERS Railways Netherlands 5 (ERSR) Dillen et Le Jeune KBC lease group Belgium 4 [27] Cargo Railway (DLC) Dillen et Le Jeune Belgium ~5 Cargo Railway (DLC) ERS Railways (ERSR) Netherlands ~6 Häfen und Güterverkehr Germany Class 266 ~2 Köln (HGK) Afzet Container Transport System Netherlands 1 (ACTS) MRCE[27] Dortmunder Eisenbahn Germany 1 (DE) Veolia Cargo / Connex Netherlands & France 1 (VC) Trainsport AG (TS) Belgium 1 Rail4Chem (R4C) Germany 1 NedTrain 1

Setrag Gabon 2 Units shipped July 2011.[36]

See also [edit]

Voith Maxima, GE PowerHaul and Vossloh Euro 4000, competitors IE 201 Class, GM 710 engined locomotive for Irish railways

References [edit]

1. ^ "Class 66 :: Electro­Motive Diesel JT42CWR" . class66.railfan.nl. Rogier Immers. Retrieved 9 July 2011. 2. ^ Klass 66 : a play on the English word "class" and the Dutch boys' name "Klaas" and the word SantaKlaus (dutch:'Sinterklaas'). The nickname came about because the first engine delivered to the Netherlands (HGK DE61) was painted red, a colour normally associated with Santa. [citation needed] 3. ^ JT42CWRM Fact Sheet 4. ^ a b "Commissioning of Egyptian JT42CWRM begins" . Railway Gazette International. 2009­05­20. 5. ^ In 2005 General Motors sold its locomotive manufacturing division (EMD), the organisation is now named Electro Motive Diesel or EMD 6. ^ Class 66 (subsection 'History') railfan.nl 7. ^ Andrew Roden (September 2008). "EMD plans new route for Class 66" . findarticles.com (International Railway Journal). 8. ^ "EMD to produce passenger demonstrator loco" , www.railwaygazettte.com (Railway Gazette International), 4 October 2011, "Meanwhile, EMD confirms that it has dropped plans for the 66EU, which was to have been an updated version of its popular Class 66 freight locomotive specifically adapted for the Continental European market" 9. ^ The individual bogies are articulated rather than having two bogies connected with a Beugniot lever or equivalent 10. ^ The effect of locomotive steering steering bogies on wheel and railwear, Swenson, C.A.; Scott, R.T. Railroad Conference, 1996. (via ieeexplore.ieee.org) 11. ^ Effect of self­steering locomotive trucks in improving adhesion oncurved tracks, Ahmadian, M.; Wei Huang, Railroad Conference, 2000. (via ieexplore.ieee.org) 12. ^ EMD Class 66 Product information sheet from EMD 13. ^ Rail Safety & Standards board: The implications of the physical agents directive (noise): summary 14. ^ "Boycott threat over 'dirty' locos" . news.bbc.co.uk (BBC News). 30 April 2007. 15. ^ Agreement between the NLF and CargoNet (norwegian) 16. ^ Electro­Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) Updated Class 66 European Locomotive is First to Achieve TSI Noise Certification in Europe 17. ^ "Positive moves on Class 66 cabs" . www.aslef.org. ASLEF. 21 Mar 2007. 18. ^ "Update on SQUASH" . www.aslef.org.uk. ASLEF. 19. ^ Various modifications were required, including some additional to the fitment of the local train safety systems (see Details of Class 66 modifications made for working in France (esg­railconsultancy.co.uk) 20. ^ (EMD) Announces French Homologation Has Been Achieved For the Euro Cargo Rail Class 66 Locomotives 21. ^ Electro­Motive Diesels (EMD) certifies its Class 66 (JT42CWRM) locomotive in Romania 22. ^ a b AbRail Rail Databases ­ Diesel Locomotives www.abrail.co.uk 23. ^ a b ECR locomotives railfaneurope.net 24. ^ Freightliner PL Freightliner.co.uk 25. ^ 23 February 2007 ANGEL TRAINS ENTERS THE POLISH RAIL FREIGHT MARKET 26. ^ Angel Trains presentation (via mtgsa.pl) 27. ^ a b c d e f g The Definitive Fleet List of Euro Class 66 locos ­ giving works numbers, running numbers, names, operators and international IDs. (up to November 2007) therailwaycentre.com 28. ^ a b "Electro­Motive Diesel, Inc (EMD) Rolls Out The New JT42CWRM for Egyptian National Railways (ENR)" . Electro­Motive Diesel. 29. ^ ENR locomotives and shunters railfaneurope.net 30. ^ TGOJ Trafik. (Locomotive listing on sub­page) (swedish) 31. ^ a b TGOJ locomotives Railfaneurope.net 32. ^ [1] 33. ^ CargoNet diesellokomotiv type CD66 34. ^ Norwegian rolling stock database page (with images) 35. ^ Årlig møte med ledelsen i CargoNet AS TILSYNSRAPPORT (annual audit report) CargoNet 2002 36. ^ "World rolling stock market September 2011" , www.railwaygazette.com (Railway Gazette International), 26 September 2011

Notes [edit] 1. ^ Bombardier "EBICab2000" ETCS. Includes ATB­EG specific transmission module (STM) for conventional Dutch lines and the PZB STM for Germany. In addition, a separate "Memor" unit is installed for Belgian operation.[citation needed]

External links [edit]

JT42CWRM , information at EM Diesels Wikimedia Commons has media Dutch railfan page on Class 66 (in English) related to: Class 66 (locomotive) Nothing stops a Class 66: article from RAIL #492 Detailed description of class, including internal layout. via pigeonsnest.co.uk

v ∙ d ∙ e Limited Production and Export Locomotives built by GM­EMD [show]

v ∙ d ∙ e Classes of German diesel locomotives [show]

v ∙ d ∙ e Swedish rolling stock [show]

v ∙ d ∙ e Norwegian rolling stock [show]

Categories: Diesel locomotives of Germany EMD locomotives Co­Co locomotives Diesel locomotives of Egypt Railway locomotives introduced in 1998 Diesel locomotives of Great Britain CargoNet locomotives Diesel locomotives of Norway

This page was last modified on 26 January 2012 at 23:18.

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Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Mobile view Class 66

Freight Operator/s Freightliner Heavy Haul, Freightliner, GB Railfreight

Vehicle Qty 44 (FHH x 33, FL x 6, GBRF x 5)

Consist Locomotive

Traction Type or Power GM 12 710 G33B EC2-stroke diesel engine, driving alternator and Supply Type DC Traction Motors

Max Speed 75 mph

These Canadian-built General Motors locomotives have become the UK’s standard heavy freight traction. This is a long-established design, first supplied to the UK as Class 59 in 1985, later being updated for the EWS order of 250 locomotives supplied from 1998, and still gaining new orders. The design is also popular with “open access” freight operators in Europe, thanks to its reputation for reliability. The Class 66 features a General Motors 12N-710G3B-EC two- stroke engine, delivering 2385 kW (3,200 hp). A 6,550 litre fuel tank gives a range of 1,200 miles. The Porterbrook fleet includes 12 Class 66/6 which use a 83/15 gear ratio instead of the standard 81/20, offering a better “heavy haul” performance, but reducing the maximum speed to 65 mph. Reliability is the Class 66’s great asset, with miles per casualty figures often around 250,000, which is orders of magnitude better than the older locomotives they replaced.

How the Canadian-built EMD Class 66 completely changed the face of British railfreight By Thomas Blampied and Dave Kirwin - (January 2010)

They Came, They Saw, They Conquered

In 1996, as part of the privatisation of British Rail (BR), the different BR freight sectors were sold off to various bidders. The vast majority of the sectors were purchased by Wisconsin Central (WC) and merged under the branding of English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS). One of the first issues that EWS needed to address was the ageing motive power (about 900 locomotives) they had inherited. Most BR freight diesels were wearing out and many were approaching their 40th birthday. Add to this the fact that there were nine different types of locomotive for the crews to learn and the varied maintenance each type required meant that this was a pressing problem. WC was confronted with two choices: either refurbish existing locomotives, gaining a few more years of running; or order new, more powerful and reliable locomotives that would run for decades. They decided to order new locomotives to reinvigorate rail freight (at that time it made up a measly 6% of the UK freight market).

Before privatisation, the last new locomotives on BR were the 100-strong fleet of class 60 heavy freight diesels, rated at just over 2400hp. However these diesels, less than a decade old, were already starting to show reliability problems and their top speed of 60 mph was too slow.

Inspiration for EWS’s new locomotives came from the North American-built class 59s, a joint project between Foster-Yeoman and the during the mid 1980s. At the time, no British-built locomotive was powerful enough for Foster-Yeoman’s heavy stone trains. A “super” locomotive was built, combining the restricted British loading gauge with the reliable power of GM diesels. Along with the GM class 59s, Foster-Yeoman had also imported a SW1001 to work at their Merehead Quarry, the switcher being much more powerful than British shunters.

The loading gauge in Britain is much more restricted than in North America, making any locomotive design more challenging. Using the class 59 design as a starting point was ideal because the loading gauge problem was already solved. WC already had a history of purchasing EMD locomotives so the builder seemed the ideal candidate for the contract. The proposed design was very similar to the 59s, but with improvements such as a microprocessor control system, a similar power unit to the SD70 (although only 12 cylinder) and radial steering bogies - ideal for reducing rail wear that can occur on the tight curves of the network.

Stunning the railway world, EWS placed an order for 250 of these new locomotives, at a cost of £375 million (about $750 million CAD) in mid-1996. The locomotives were to be known as class 66 (locomotives in the UK are grouped into classes to simplify the computerised classification system).

The first arrived on British soil (No. 66001) in April 1998. 66001 was essentially the demonstrator. Once in the UK, 66001 was tested at Toton depot and at the Engineering Research Centre at Derby. 66002 was initially sent to the Transportation Technology Centre in Pueblo, Colorado for extensive testing; especially the radial steering system. With the first two locomotives passing all tests, more 66s began arriving in the UK every month.

The first Canadian connection to the class 66s is the most obvious. EMD built all of the new locomotives at their plant in London, Ontario – with power plants from LaGrange. Due the huge size of the order, some manufacturing was outsourced to various local businesses (such as cab construction), but the assembly and extensive testing took place at EMD London. Testing for the 66s was more complicated than most locomotives as each locomotive had two cabs, meaning that two sets of controls needed to be tested. Perhaps most appropriately for use in the UK, each locomotive was tested to be sure it was fully waterproof!

As each batch of locomotives passed the rigorous EMD testing programme, they were shipped east in convoys on the Goderich and Exeter and Canadian National (CN) to Halifax, Montreal or Toronto for shipping across the Atlantic on one of Jumbo Shipping’s vessels. Apart from 66001, which arrived at Immingham Port in Lincolnshire, all 66s were unloaded at Newport Docks in Wales.

EMD technicians were sent to the UK in case of any problems, but improvements in reliability and maintenance were immediately apparent as more 66s entered service. EWS locomotive reliability shot up to over 90% with the new 66s compared to 60%-70% with the old BR diesels.

Freightliner, the only large part of BR rail freight not purchased by EWS, had its own problems with ageing motive power. It initially opted to refurbish 12 of the best class 47s by replacing the ageing Brush diesel-electric engines with new GM ones, these 12 locomotives were re-classified as class 57s. However, this project was delayed and once the EWS 66s began running, Freightliner was very impressed and ordered five 66s, built to slightly different specifications for their needs. So successful were the initial five that the Freightliner 66 fleet is now over 100 units.

By now, the UK railfreight market was steadily growing as more and more operators entered the market. First Group (known in Canada for purchasing Laidlaw, now called First Student Canada), ordered class 66s for their Great Britain Rail Freight (First GBRF) operations. (DRS) ordered 66s for its new intermodal business.

The second Canadian connection was the 2001 acquisition of Wisconsin Central by (CN). EWS was a British company, funded by WC. Since WC was now part of CN, the company now had “Canadian” money behind it. Various North American railway ideas have been tried, such as running longer trains with multiple locomotives. In Britain, a long freight is 30-40 wagons long! Because most sidings in the UK are quite short, the practice of longer trains is still not commonplace.

A decade after the initial order, class 66s could be found all over the network. So successful is this design that most older freight locomotives have being stored or scrapped. Nearly the entire fleet of 100 British- built class 60s, less than ten years old, were stored as the 66 could do most of their work. Class 31 and 33 locomotives have disappeared virtually altogether and the once popular workhorses 37s and 47s are now rare. Such homogeneity on the network has understandably annoyed rail enthusiasts, but for operators the class 66 has been invaluable.

In the last few years, more new operators have begun to look at the class 66. Jarvis FastLine ordered 5 class 66s for their coal traffic operations. Late in 2008, CN sold EWS to DB Schenker, meaning that the UK’s largest rail freight company is now German! To date, only one 66 has been repainted into the red. In 2009, Advenza Freight acquired four class 66s that were superfluous to DRS.

Today, the class 66 fleet in the UK totals around 450 locomotives, divided into various sub-classes. The basic design does not change. The class 66 is just over 70’ long and weighs about 130 tonnes. The subclasses use the basic 66 design with various modifications (such as headlights, gearing and top speed) to better suit the customer. The sub-classes are:

66/0 – 66001-66250: The original batch ordered by EWS. This initial design has a top speed of 75 mph and 3000 hp.

66/3 – 66301-66305: Ordered by Jarvis FastLine for hauling coal.

66/4 – 66411-66434: Ordered by DRS for their intermodal business. They are also sometimes found on nuclear flask transport trains.

66/5 – 66501-66599: Ordered by Freightliner, mostly for their intermodal business.

66/6 – 66601-66625: Ordered by Freightliner. A low-geared model with a slower top speed (65 mph), used for very heavy loads such as aggregate.

66/7 – 66701-66732: Ordered by GBRF for their intermodal and coal businesses. These locomotives can also be seen on maintenance trains on the London Underground.

66/8 – 66841-66844: Acquired from DRS by Advenza Freight for their scrap metal and gypsum trains. Numbering began in the 840’s because 801-804 had already taken in the computer system by other stock. In October 2009, Advenza was dissolved and the 66s returned to the leasing company. Two of these units have now been leased by Colas, a company which picked up much of the traffic affected by the demise of Advenza. The other two have been taken by GBRF.

66/9 – 66951-66957: The latest 66s ordered by Freightliner. These are low-emissions locomotives.

Several class 66/5s currently operate in Poland for the Freightliner subsidiary Freightliner PL. Several 66/0s have been modified to allow them to run in France for the DB Schenker subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail. To date, the only 66 disposal has been 66521, a write-off after the horrific Great Heck accident in 2001.

Like in North America, operators sometimes lease locomotives to each other when traffic is heavy. First GBRF has leased former DRS 66s and DRS has leased locomotives from Freightliner in the past.

The class 66s can be found in virtually every corner of Great Britain on freights, inspection trains, works trains, nuclear flask trains, the occasional passenger charter, rescuing failed passenger trains and the ever-popular Rail Head Treatment Trains (leaf removal).

Clearly, the locomotives from London, Ontario have had a huge impact in the UK, all over Europe and now even Africa! However, competition is on the horizon as Freightliner have started taking delivery of an order of 30 new locomotives from GE in the United States (these locomotives are now known as class 70). This is GE’s first entry into the UK diesel market. With a more ergonomic cab and built-in air conditioning (a complaint on the 66s which do not have any), the class 70 may prove to be attractive to the industry. Clearly the sheer number of class 66s means they will be seen on the rails for decades to come, but their monopoly may not be as secure as it once was.

Sources and Further Reading:

Anglia-GEN (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/anglia-gen/) “Class 66 – The First Decade”, , June 2008 “EWS – The First Ten Years (Part 1)”, The Railway Magazine, May 2006 “EWS – The First Ten Years (Part 2)”, The Railway Magazine, June 2006 “Freightliner – Ten Years in the Private Sector”, The Railway Magazine, July 2006 “The Class 66 Story”, CineRail DVD Wikepedia http://www.thejunction.org.uk/cl66.html

Photos:

Photos by Thomas Blampied:

The class 66 pioneer, number 66001, was delivered to EWS in 1998. A further 249 locomotives were delivered to the company, completing the first order. Here, 66001 is seen at Cambridge with an intermodal service on 8 June 2006. Note how the EWS livery is similar to that of Wisconsin Central.

One of the more interesting jobs for the class 66s are the annual Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTTs). From October through December, RHTTs run all over the UK blasting the rails with an oil-coated sand to improve traction and prevent falling leaves from causing problems. EWS 66s 66043 and 66070 are seen on train number 3S81 at Cambridge on 13 November 2008.

In 2009, EWS was purchased by the German operator DB Schenker. To date, only one class 66 has been painted into the DB livery, number 66152. 66152 is seen at Peterborough on 7 February 2009.

The old and the new. 47370 sits at Ipswich waiting to be taken to the scrap yard, while 66532 is tested before its next assignment. The 40-year-old class 47s once numbered over 500 units, but the reliability of the class 66s has made most of them obsolete. Both locomotives were seen at Ipswich on 16 May 2009. 47370 was sent to the scrap heap less than two weeks after the photo was taken.

First GBRF's original livery still graces 66713, named "Forest City" in honour of the city that built it: London, Ontario. The locomotive was named by Anne Marie de Cicco, mayoress of London. The locomotive was seen at Peterborough on 31 May 2008.

First GBRF were awarded the maintenance contract to assist Metronet in maintaining the London Underground. 66721 sports the First GBRF livery used on the locomotives initially ordered for the Metronet contract. Since then, any First GBRF 66 can be seen on underground maintenance trains. This 66 is far from London, on a ballast train at Ely on 23 August 2009.

With relatively short freights being the norm in the UK, a triple-header is a rare sight. Here, 66725, 66719 and 66723, all in various First GBRF liveries are seen with an intermodal service at Ely on 11 October 2008.

66726 (in the latest First GBRF livery) pulls an intermodal service through Ely, UK on 30 May 2009.

One of the latest companies to use the class 66 in the UK is the now-defunct Advenza Freight. They acquired three used locomotives from DRS in May 2009. The locomotives, part of the new class 66/8 subclass, worked for Advenza until October 2009 when the company ceased to operate. 66841 is seen on train number 4L72, the West Burton to Tilbury fly-ash train as it passes through Cambridge on 3 June 2009.

One of Freightliner's latest locomotives, from the class 66/9 subclass is seen at Ipswich on 16 May 2009. This subclass are low-emissions locomotives with an extra door, visible part-way down the side of the locomotive.

Two generations of Freightliner-liveried class 66 sit at the Freightliner stabling point at Ipswich on 16 May 2009. Note the different subclasses (66/9 next to 66/5) and the different types of headlights.

No doubt where this locomotive was built. Freightliner class 66 number 66956 proudly displays the manufacturer's label beside the cab door.

One of the 66/4 subclass, this unidentified 66 in DRS livery sits on the freight avoiding line at on 13 June 2006.

Class 66s make for an interesting sight in Canada too. The units are shipped by rail to either Halifax, Toronto or Montreal to be sent across the Ocean. Here, one of Jarvis Fastline's class 66s, number 66303, is seen en route to Toronto Harbour as it passes the VIA Rail TMC on 7 August 2008. 66303 was joined by 66s bound for France and Belgium.

Photos by Dave Kirwin:

Bearing a striking resemblance to the class 66, 59201 is in fact a class 59. This photo demonstrates how similar the two types of locomotive are from the outside. The 66 is, however, more powerful and about 15 years newer.

DRS 66405 carries the livery of Malcolm logistics, in recognition of the contract between the two companies for freight haulage.

DRS 66411 carries the very popular “Stobart Rail” livery to recognise the haulage contract between DRS and the road hauler Eddie Stobart. Keeping with the tradition of Eddie Stobart trucks being named, 66411 has been named “Eddie the Engine”.

Freightliner’s 66522 carries the hybrid Freightliner/Shanks livery in recognition of the contract between Freightliner and Shanks Waste Management.

GBRf named 66705 'Golden Jubilee' on 20 June 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. The loco has a distinctive Union Flag on its side.

Following the demise of Advenza Freight, two of their class 66/8 locomotives were acquired by Colas Rail (the company having taken over most of Advenza’s work). Here 66841 is seen at the Eastleigh works having just been repainted into the Colas livery.

Captions

Captions to photos of the liveries that we could not find in our own collections:

A photo of the unique Freightliner Bardon Aggregate livery, by Colin J. Marsden: http://cjm.fotopic.net/p40321647.html 66623

A photo of the unique GBRF Medite livery, by Colin J. Marsden: http://cjm.fotopic.net/p44975719.html 66709

A photo of one of the EWS (now DB Schenker) class 66 locomotives certified to work in France. Note the slightly different livery and additional safety lettering. Photo by Paul Bigland: http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p35835895.html

A photo of the competition for the class 66. This is a photo of 70001, the first GE diesel in the UK, by Geoff Tibble. http://geoffsangliaphotos.fotopic.net/p62479166.html The Euro ‘66s’ The Definitive Fleet List of Euro Class 66 locos - giving works New numbers, running numbers, Euro Cargo Rail names operators and YAdded international IDs

TheRailwayCentre.Com Updated to 24 November 2007 Photography, Design and Publishing TheRailwayCentre.Com Photography, Design and Publishing List correct to 23 November 2007 EuroEuro ‘66s’‘66s’ THETHE definitivedefinitive listlist GM/EMCC Date Owner Operator Identity Notes Works No. Built 998101-01 08/99 GM/Opal Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE61 Also carried No. 9902 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 002 999101-02 08/99 GM/Opal Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE62 Also carried No. 9901 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 001 20008212-01 07/00 HSBC Rail Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesbergs- T66-713 Lease to Ikea Rail AB Oxelösunds Järnväg, Sweden (TGOJ) 20008212-02 07/00 HSBC Rail Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesbergs- T66-714 Named: Kruthornet Oxelösunds Järnväg, Sweden (TGOJ) Lease to Ikea Rail AB Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesbergs- T66K-714 Modified for Denmark Oxelösunds Järnväg, Sweden (TGOJ) Named: Kruthornet Lease to Ikea Rail AB 20008254-01 07/01 Porterbrook Leasing ShortLines, Rotterdam (31/01/02) PB01 Porterbrook Leasing Rail4Chem, Benelux (11/10/04) PB01 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Rail4Chem, Benelux PB01 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 003 20008254-02 07/01 Porterbrook Leasing ShortLines, Rotterdam (01/02) PB02 Porterbrook Leasing Azfet Container Transport System (ACTS) PB02 (09/04 only) Porterbrook Leasing Rail4Chem, Benelux (11/10/04) PB02 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Rail4Chem, Benelux PB02 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 004 20008254-03 07/01 GM/GMAC Leasing Heavy Haul Power International 29001 Named: Robert J G Savage (22/02/02) Sold to CB Rail 02/05 CB Rail Heavy Haul Power International 29001 Named: Robert J G Savage EBA No. EBA 00L13C 005 Tested 02/06 in Romania 20008254-04 08/01 GM/GMAC Leasing Heavy Haul Power International 29002 Named: Hans Cermak (28/03/02) ShortLines, Rotterdam (03-04/03) Sold to CB Rail 02/05 CB Rail Heavy Haul Power International 29002 Named: Hans Cermak EBA No. EBA 00L13C 006 20008254-05 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (02/02/02) PB03 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly PB03 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 007 20008254-06 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) PB04 then DE63 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 (03/06/02) CB Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE63 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 008 20008254-07 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing Rail4Chem, (25/05/02) PB05 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Rail4Chem, Essen PB05 CB Rail Rail4Chem, Benelux (03/01/06) PB05 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 009 20008254-08 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) PB06 then DE64 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 (12/07/02) CB Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE64 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 010 20008254-09 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle Rly (02/09/02) PB07 then 6601 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle Railways 6601 Named: Blue Arrow EBA No. EBA 00L13C 011 20008254-10 09/01 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle Rly (28/09/02) PB08 then 6602 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle Railways 6602 Named: Blue Bullet EBA No. EBA 00L13C 012 20008254-11 02/02 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle Rly (30/09/02) PB09 then 6603 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle Railways 6603 Named: Blue Catapult EBA No. EBA 00L13C 013 20008254-12 02/02 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle Rly (02/09/02 PB10 then 6604 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle Railways 6604 Named: Blue Dart EBA No. EBA 00L13C 014 20008254-13 03/02 GM/GMAC Leasing Heavy Haul Power International 29003 Named: Rhoda Painter Hire to Rail4Chem 03-04/03 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 015 Heavy Haul Power International 29003 Named: Rhoda Painter 20018352-01 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 401 Also had No. Di9-01 20018352-02 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 402 Also had No. Di9-02 20018352-03 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 403 Also had No. Di9-03 20018352-04 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 404 Also had No. Di9-04 20018352-05 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 405 Also had No. Di9-05 20018352-06 11/02 HSBC Rail CargoNet, Norway 66 406 Also had No. Di9-06 20018360-01 05/02 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle Rly (05/11/02) PB11 then 6605 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle Railways 6605 Named: Blue Escabalur EBA No. EBA 00L13C 016 GM/EMCC Date Owner Operator Identity Notes Works No. Built 20018360-02 06/02 Porterbrook Leasing Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (09/12/02) PB12 Hire to ACTS 12/02 Porterbrook Leasing Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railways PB12 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railways PB12 Hire to ERS 08-10/05 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 017 20018360-03 06/02 Porterbrook Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) PB13 then DE65 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 (28/11/02) CB Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE65 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (03/01/06) PB13 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 065 20018360-04 07/02 Porterbrook Leasing Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (09/12/02) PB14 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway PB14 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 018 20018360-05 07/02 Porterbrook Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) PB15 then DE66 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 (10/12/02) CB Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE66 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (03/01/06) PB15 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 019 20018360-06 07/02 Porterbrook Leasing Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) PB16 then DE67 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 (20/12/02) CB Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE67 CB Rail European Rail Shuttle (07/12/05) 6613 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 067 20018360-07 07/02 Porterbrook Leasing ShortLines, Rotterdam (09/01/03) PB17 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 Porterbrook Leasing Rail4Chem, Benelux (11/10/04) PB17 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 021 CB Rail Rail4Chem, Benelux PB17 r/n to PB017 - 01/05 20018360-08 04/03 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle 08/03 PB18 Spot hire ShortLines, Rotterdam (09/03) PB18 Spot hire Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (05/12/03) PB18 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway PB18 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 022 20018360-09 04/02 Porterbrook Leasing Heavy Haul Power International (08/03) PB19 Spot hire ShortLines, Rotterdam (09/03) PB19 Spot hire European Rail Shuttle (09/03) PB19 Spot hire Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (10/03) PB19 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04) CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway PB19 Hire to RailReLease 01/03/05 Eichholz Verkehr & Logistik (01/03/05) PB19 (sub lease) CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (07/12/05) PB19 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 023 20018360-10 03/02 Porterbrook Leasing European Rail Shuttle (08/03) PB20 Spot hire Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Rly (07/12/03) PB20 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway PB20 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 024 20028453-01 03/03 HSBC Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE668 Originally No. DE168 (04/09/03) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 668 20028453-02 03/03 HSBC Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE669 Originally No. DE169 (04/09/03) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 669 20028453-03 04/03 HSBC Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE670 Originally No. DE170 (04/09/03) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 670 20028453-04 04/03 HSBC Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE671 Originally No. DE171 (04/09/03) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 671 20028453-05 04/03 HSBC Rail Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE672 Originally No. DE172 (04/09/03) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 672 20038513-01 08/03 HSBC Rail European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (24/12/03) 6606 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 025 20038513-02 08/03 HSBC Rail European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (19/12/03) 6607 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 026 20038513-03 08/03 HSBC Rail European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (19/12/03) 6608 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 027 20038513-04 08/03 HSBC Rail European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (19/12/03) 6609 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 028 20038513-05 08/03 HSBC Rail European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (24/12/03) 6610 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 029 Named: 10 Years ERS 1994-2004 20038513-06 03/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco ER6 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) ER6 Also No. MRCE 513-6 Europe (04/02/05) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 033 Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6301 Europe (renumber 12/05) 20038513-07 03/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco ER7 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) ER7 Also No. MRCE 513-7 Europe (18/01/05) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 034 Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6302 Europe (renumber 12/05) 20038513-08 03/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco ER8 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Mitteldeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (11/04) 398 Also No. MRCE 513-8 Europe Rail4Chem, Benelux (03/12/04) ER8 Spot hire Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE54 Spot hire (06/02/05) Mitsui Rail Capital European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (21/06/05) 6612 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 035

GM/EMCC Date Owner Operator Identity Notes Works No. Built 20038513-09 03/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco ER9 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Azfet Container Transport System (ACTS) ER9 Also No. MRCE 513-9 Europe Lease (12/11/04) MRCE 513-9 r/n 12/05 European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (25/05/06) MRCE 513-9 Rail4Chem, Benelux (25/08/06) MRCE 513-9 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 036 European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (30/09/06) MRCE 513-9 Painted ACTS livery Off lease MRCE 513-9 Collision damage Arnhem 21/11/06 20038513-10 03/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco ER10 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Rail4Chem, Benelux (08/02/05) ER10 Also No. MRCE 513-10 Mitsui Rail Capital Azfet Container Transport System (ACTS) ER10 (03/03/05) Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6303 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 037 Europe (20/05/05) 20038545-01 11/03 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EC1 Sold to Deutsche Lease Deutsche Leasing Rail4Chem, Benelux (21/07/04) 66 020 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 030 20038545-02 11/03 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EC2 Sold to CB Rail 16/11/04 CB Rail Railion, Nederland (26/08/04) RN 266 452-2 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 031 20038545-03 11/03 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EC3 Sold to CB Rail CB Rail Railion, Nederland (26/08/04) RN 266 453-0 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 032 20038561-01 11/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EM1 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE673 Also No. MRCE 561-01 Europe (30/03/05) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 038 20038561-02 11/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EM2 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE674 Also No. MRCE 561-02 Europe (30/03/05) EBA No. EBA 00L13C 039 20038561-03 11/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EM3 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital OstHavelländische Eisenbahn (OHE) MRCE 561-03 Spot hire (12/04/05 - 31/05/05) Mitsui Rail Capital European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (15/06/05) 6611 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 040 Europe 20038561-04 11/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EM4 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6304 Also No. MRCE 561-04 (07/06/05) Mitsui Rail Capital Rail4Chem, Benelux DE6304 Sub lease from DLC Mitsui Rail Capital Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6304 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 041 Europe (08/09/05) 20038561-05 11/04 GM/EMD Spot hire loco EM5 Sold to MRCU Mitsui Rail Capital Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) MRCE 561-05 Spot hire (03/07/05) Mitsui Rail Capital Connex Cargo/Veolia Transport MRCE 561-05 Europe Hire to RegioBahn, Bitterfeld, Berlin MRCE 561-05 (Connex) (16/07/05) Hire to Dortmunder Eisenbahn/ MRCE 561-05 EBA No. EBA 00L13C 042 Veolia Cargo / Connex) (19/05/06) 20048653-01 01/06 Mitsui Rail Capital Veolia Transport (09/01/07) MRCE 8653-01 (EMCC No. JT1) Europe EBA No. EBA 05D21K 001 20048653-02 01/06 Mitsui Rail Capital Tested in Switzerland 02-06-2006 MRCE 653-02 (EMCC No. JT2) Europe At NedTrain Tilburg 14/2/06-04/12/06 6615 EBA No. EBA 05D21K 002 European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (04/12/06) Named: Kayden 20048653-03 01/06 Mitsui Rail Capital At NedTrain Tilburg 14/2/06-05/12/06 MRCE 653-03 (EMCC No. JT3) Europe European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (05/12/06) 6614 EBA No. EBA 05D21K 003 Named: Lauryn 20048653-04 01/06 Mitsui Rail Capital ETCS test loco, used on Betuweroute MRCE 653-04 (EMCC No. JT4) Europe EBA No. EBA 05D21K 004 Azfet Container Transport System (ACTS) MRCE 653-04 (06/07) 20048653-05 01/06 Mitsui Rail Capital Rurtalbahn, Germany, hire to MRCE 653-05 (EMCC No. JT5) Europe Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) DE55 EBA No. EBA 05D21K 005 (19-10-06 - 30/04/07) Trainsport AG (Belgium) (30/04/07) MRCE 653-05 20048653-06 02/06 Mitsui Rail Capital At NedTrain Tilburg 13/4/06-06/12/06 MRCE 653-06 (EMCC No. JT6) Europe European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (12/06) 6616 EBA No. EBA 05D21K 006 20048653-07 02/06 Mitsui Rail Capital At NedTrain Tilburg 13/4/06-07/12/06 MRCE 653-07 (EMCC No. JT7) Europe European Rail Shuttle (ERS) (12/06) 6617 EBA No. EBA 05D21K 007 GM/EMCC Date Owner Operator Identity Notes Works No. Built 20048653-08 02/06 Mitsui Rail Capital Rail4Chem, Benelux (07/11/06) MRCE 653-08 (EMCC No. JT8) Europe EBA No. EBA 05D21K 008 Named: Wessel 20048653-09 02/06 Mitsui Rail Capital At NedTrain, Tilburg 11/06 - 03/07 MRCE 653-09 (EMCC No. JT9) Europe Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) EBA No. EBA 05D21K 009 (02/03/07) Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6305 20048653-10 02/06 Mitsui Rail Capital NedTrain, Tilburg, ETMS cab signal MRCE 653-10 (EMCC No. JT10) Europe testing EBA No. EBA 05D21K 010 For lease to Veolia Transport, NL 20058725-01 11/06 To be confirmed EMCC Demonstrator EMCC No. EU01 Delivered in Green livery Railion Freight EU01 20058725-02 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland 66001 EMDD No. EU02 92 51 365 0 000-4 20058725-03 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland 66002 EMDD No. EU03 92 51 365 0 001-2 20058725-04 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland, at Nedtrains, Tilburg 66003 EMDD No. EU04 92 51 365 0 002-0 20058725-05 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland, at Nedtrains, Tilburg 66004 EMDD No. EU05 92 51 365 0 003-8 20058725-06 11/06 CB Rail Rail4Chem CB1000 EMDD No. EU06 92 80 1266 105-6 20058725-07 11/06 CB Rail Rail4Chem CB1001 EMDD No. EU07 92 80 1266 106-4 20058725-08 11/06 KBC Lease Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6306 EMDD No. EU08 92 80 1266 101-5 20058725-09 11/06 KBC Lease Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6307 EMDD No. EU09 92 80 1266 102-3 20058725-10 11/06 KBC Lease Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6308 EMDD No. EU10 92 80 1266 103-1 20058725-11 11/06 KBC Lease Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo Railway (DLC) DE6309 EMDD No. EU11 92 80 1266 104-9 20058725-12 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland 66005 EMDD No. EU12 92 51 365 0 004-6 20058725-13 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland 66006 EMDD No. EU13 92 51 365 0 005-3 20058725-14 11/06 Angel Trains Freightliner Poland 66007 EMDD No. EU14 92 51 365 0 006-1 20068864-01 09/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77001 (EWS01) At London plant 20068864-02 09/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77002 (EWS02) At London plant 20068864-03 09/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77003 (EWS03) Delivered 11/07 20068864-04 09/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77004 (EWS04) Delivered 11/07 20068864-05 09/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77005 (EWS05) Delivered 11/07 20068864-06 10/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77006 (EWS06) At London plant 20068864-07 10/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77007 (EWS07) 20068864-08 10/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77008 (EWS08) 20068864-09 10/07 To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77009 (EWS09) 20068864-10 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77010 (EWS10) 20068864-11 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77011 (EWS11) 20068864-12 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77012 (EWS12) 20068864-13 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77013 (EWS13) 20068864-14 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77014 (EWS14) 20068864-15 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77015 (EWS15) 20068864-16 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77016 (EWS16) 20068864-17 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77017 (EWS17) 20068864-18 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77018 (EWS18) 20068864-19 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77019 (EWS19) 20068864-20 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77020 (EWS20) 20068864-21 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77021 (EWS21) 20068864-22 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77022 (EWS22) 20068864-23 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77023 (EWS23) 20068864-24 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77024 (EWS24) 20068864-25 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77025 (EWS25) 20068864-26 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77026 (EWS26) 20068864-27 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77027 (EWS27) 20068864-28 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77028 (EWS28) GM/EMCC Date Owner Operator Identity Notes Works No. Built

20068864-29 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77029 (EWS29) 20068864-30 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77030 (EWS30) 20068864-31 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77031 (EWS31) 20068864-32 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77032 (EWS32) 20068864-33 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77033 (EWS33) 20068864-34 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77034 (EWS34) 20068864-35 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77035 (EWS35) 20068864-36 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77036 (EWS36) 20068864-37 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77037 (EWS37) 20068864-38 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77038 (EWS38) 20068864-39 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77039 (EWS49) 20068864-40 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77040 (EWS40) 20068864-41 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77041 (EWS41) 20068864-42 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77042 (EWS42) 20068864-43 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77043 (EWS43) 20068864-44 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77044 (EWS44) 20068864-45 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77045 (EWS45) 20068864-46 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77046 (EWS46) 20068864-47 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77047 (EWS47) 20068864-48 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77048 (EWS48) 20068864-49 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77049 (EWS49) 20068864-50 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77050 (EWS50) 20068864-51 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77051 (EWS51) 20068864-52 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77052 (EWS52) 20068864-53 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77053 (EWS53) 20068864-54 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77054 (EWS54) 20068864-55 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77055 (EWS55) 20068864-56 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77056 (EWS56) 20068864-57 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77057 (EWS57) 20068864-58 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77058 (EWS58) 20068864-59 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77059 (EWS59) 20068864-60 On order To be confirmed EWS-Euro Cargo Rail 77060 (EWS60)

Below: HSBC-owned Euro Class 66 No. ERS6607, delivered to European Shuttle Rail on 19 December 2003. This loco was built to order number 20038513. The loco is seen passing Amersfoort on 28 September 2005 with a container train bound for Rotterdam. Ron Cover Above: MRCE 653-08 approaches Lage Zwaluwe near Breda in Holland on 14 June 2007 with a northbound container train. This loco is presently operating for Rail4Chem.

Right Middle: EU12, painted in Freightliner Poland livery stands at the EMDD plant on 12 March 2007.

Right Bottom: MRCE 653-08 approaches Lage Zwaluwe near Breda in Holland on 14 June 2007 with a northbound container train. This loco is presently operating for Rail4Chem. All: Colin J. Marsden Above: PB02, painted in Rail 4 Chem livery passes Tilburg on 20 November 2006 powering an eastbound intermodal service. This loco has been operating in Mainland Europe since January 2002.

Front Cover: MRCE 8653-01 passes Lage Zwaluwe near Breda in Holland on 14 June 2007 with a southbound container train. Note the air conditioning unit on the cab roof.

Below: In DLC grey-livery, No. PB12 power a Rotterdam-bound intermodal freight past Gilze Rijen on 21 November 2006. All: Colin J. Marsden

Issue 9 - 241107-CJM Linking to pages and resources on this site is encouraged, but the links MUST be placed on a publically-accessible page. Placing links behind any form of login or access restriction is strictly forbidden. Nothing stops a Class 66: article from RAIL #492

972k of images. Sorry dialup users!

Cargonet in Norway has six Class 66s - leased through HSBC. This is 66406 taking fuel and highlights the extreme weather these locomotives have to endure in Scandinavia. Class 66 - from the outside: Front end of GBRf 66716, Cabside, Battery box Class 66 - from the outside: Bogie in detail, Horn grille and marker light, Radiator grilles Class 66 - inside the cab and body: Cab dashboard, Cab-roof-mounted switches, Q-tron and locomotive computer display

Large pic: The cab of 66713 looks warm and inviting as it stands in the snow at Svenningdal in Norway. The wing mirrors look similar to those on road lorries. The two TGOJ machines were built alongside the EWS order for 250 '66's - to date the biggest user of '66's. Small pics: Class 66 - inside the cab and body: Main circuit boards, Rocker gear, Radiator grilles

EWS placed the biggest order for Class 66s - with 250 locomotives. They work the length and breadth of the country on all manner of duties and have allowed withdrawal of twice as many older and less reliable locomotives. On June 16, 66179 works a Shoeburyness-Didcot MoD train past Chalkwell on the c2c commuter route. This train used to be worked by Class 47s and more recently Class 37s. Porterbrook's PB02 is leased by Shortlines which has slightly enhanced the Union Pacific Harbour Mist grey livery with blue bands. This is one of the few 'base' liveries that GM delivers Class 66s in. It leaves Rotterdam Waalhaven yard on June 17 with a container train.

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